A Cry for Vengeance

by Ernesto Patino

Moments before he dies, terminally ill Karl Muller makes a startling deathbed he admits to killing thousands of Jews during World War II. His nurse, Helen Dobson, is understandably shocked. She refers the matter to Bryan De Luca, a part-time professor with experience in international affairs. De Luca soon learns that shortly after the war, Muller and dozens of former Nazis were recruited by American Intelligence to work as spies against the Soviets. De Luca also learns that Sam O’Hara, a former immigration investigator, had compiled a secret list of ex-Nazis in America—a list that so-called contractors hired to protect them are desperate to obtain. They’ll stop at nothing, not even murder, to keep the identities of the Nazis from falling into the hands of the JFJ, Jews for Justice, whose sole objective is to kill them…

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2025

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just Fair!

In brief, the plot of A Cry For Vengeance involves a deathbed confession by a former Nazi responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews in concentration camps to his hospice care nurse, who in turn shares it with a journalist. This confession initiates a series of deadly events; events caught between some members of American intelligence agencies who want to protect the guilty (i.e., a host of former Nazis brought to the US to help in the Cold War with the Soviets) and those who want justice/vengeance (by a group called “Jews For Justice”).

This plot concept intrigued me enough to jump this book ahead of the many other books on my TBR list. Unfortunately, A Cry For Vengeance was just a fair (at best) read for me for a variety of reasons that would take too long to cover in depth.

A large part of my overall opinion pertains to the author, Ernesto Patino, trying to pack so many aspects of what makes a book stand out for me in just the 191 pages in my Kindle edition that it really didn’t succeed very well on any particular aspects.

While “less is often more” for me, A Cry For Vengeance is clearly a case in which “more” was needed to make it better. The following are a few examples of what I mean — more was needed in terms of character distinction and dialogue; more attention was needed in terms of scene transitions and time jumps; more was needed in terms of pacing and depth; and more was needed in terms of historical clarity.

Finally, while I found the ending to be surprising, the epilogue didn’t ring true for me.

#A Cry For Vengeance. #Net Galley

[Agnes Odek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Darby finds herself in a situation like no other when a patient, Karl Mueller, confesses to being a former Nazi killing others in camp. Bryan Deluca takes it upon himself to research and uncover stories of the survivors who lived through the pursuit. This might be dangerous, for the list exists. Two sides: those who wish to protect the Nazis formally recruited as Cold War spies and those that decide they want to kill them.

Earnest Patino’s A Cry for Vengeance is a fast-paced historical thriller that transfixes the reader with every word. Holding the complex nature of justice, it’s bound to leave a mark on a reader, a predicament De Luca is faced with as he tries to find a balance on what to do when he finds himself at the center of it all.

Reading this book shows the research and time put into it. Fact and fiction seemed to blend, creating this narrative; one gains knowledge from this book about WWII. The Holocaust stories seemed to tug at one's heart, the hardships and fight for survival as well as the losses faced. A strong reminder of why war is never the answer. New characters seemed to be introduced frequently, which was reasonable as they gave their experiences. This meant grasping all the characters and connecting with them, which may be a challenge.

A historical thriller that is not only thought-provoking but also emotionally compelling to the readers.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins in Tucson in 1968 with a hospice nurse who records a dying man’s confession. He reveals that his true identity is Franz Dietrich, a Nazi officer who escaped justice and lived under an alias in the United States. What follows is a tense unraveling of secrets. A writer, Bryan De Luca, is drawn into the mystery and begins tracing the threads of Nazi war criminals who were protected after the war. Along the way, he uncovers government complicity, survivor testimonies, and chilling reminders of how the past refuses to stay buried. The novel blends history, moral questions, and suspense into a gripping narrative that moves across personal stories and larger political shadows.

I easily sank into the flow of the writing. The conversations feel natural, almost like eavesdropping on people with something heavy on their hearts. There is a rawness in the way guilt, regret, and fear are drawn out, yet it never tips into melodrama. At times, the pacing slows, almost deliberately, as if to make me sit with the weight of what is being revealed. That worked for me. It made the moments of tension sharper and more unsettling. I’ll admit, though, there were times I wanted things to move a little quicker, but then I’d be pulled right back in by a revelation or a moral dilemma that felt too real to ignore.

I felt anger at the injustice, sadness at the lives lost or scarred, and frustration at the bureaucratic indifference that let murderers live quietly in suburbia. There’s a thread of hope in the survivors’ voices, but also a deep weariness. I appreciated how the author didn’t try to tie everything neatly with a bow. Life, especially life touched by atrocity, rarely allows that. At times, I found myself thinking not just about the characters but about my own willingness to look away from uncomfortable truths. That kind of reflection is what makes this story powerful.

I’d recommend A Cry for Vengeance to anyone who likes a blend of history and thriller, but also to readers who don’t mind being left with hard questions. It’s not just about chasing old ghosts. It’s about the cost of silence, the burden of memory, and the uneasy choices people make in the name of survival or justice.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eighty years ago we celebrated not just the end of a war but the end of unspeakable atrocities. We celebrated a generation that fought back evil and won. The cost of victory was too high. Millions of people killed, dehumanized because they were different. Every year that passes fewer of those who fought, who survived who endured dwindle. Soon there will be no more first hand witnesses only their stories.
This book takes fact and fiction and blends them into something that is eerie and compelling. It is difficult to believe that our country which is supposed to stand for truth, justice and freedom would put trust and support behind men who were the architects of atrocities. Yet that’s a truth. This is not a tragedy I lived through. Though tragedy is a huge understatement. I can relate I was in lower Manhattan when the towers came down. Over twenty years later it haunts me. Walking those streets with people covered in soot and debris. We walked the length of Manhattan I was on the last train out of the city before they locked it down. I couldn’t contact anyone phones didn’t work the networks crashed. It was just supposed to be a day in school but it turned into a nightmare that still affects me to this day and I was just on the outskirts.
So what is all this rambling about you may ask. If you’ve gotten this far heres my thoughts. This book will haunt you not just because of the subject matter but because of its realism. It took fact and fiction blended it into fiction incredibly well. While the prose is a bit rough it doesn’t change my feelings that this is a book you should read. Not just because it’s a compelling mystery, a fascinating conspiracy run off the rails but because the truth is we should never forget the facts behind this fiction. Learn from history or we will be doomed to repeat it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Desiree Delong · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when a nurse’s patient confesses to her that he's a former Nazi guard responsible for thousands of deaths at the Treblinka concentration camp? Well, then you find yourself in Helen Darby’s situation. She soon enlists the help of Bryan De Luca, which leads to some disturbing truths from the US government.

A Cry For Vengeance by Ernesto Patino takes a difficult subject and offers a very unique take on life after WWII. The story does move very quickly. From the very first page, you are thrust into the storyline, and when the main characters make the surprising and difficult discoveries, you feel it.

While the story features a large cast, new characters are often introduced quickly, giving the reader little time to learn about them or picture their appearance. The narrative also moves briskly between scenes, which can make the pacing feel energetic but occasionally disorienting.

The biggest strength of this book is the survivors’ stories and the diary writings themselves. They do add a unique perspective to the book, offering an intimate and haunting glimpse into the past. For readers who can follow the fast pace and keep the characters straight, this is a gripping story that blends historical truths with a tense hunt for justice.
Much like the story’s lively scene changes, the ending arrives quickly, leaving me wishing for more. A few additional pages could have provided extra space to further develop the characters and deepen the reader’s connection with them.

This is a unique and gripping tale touching on a very difficult subject that still resonates today. While the pacing and character development could be stronger, the core message and emotional weight of the story make it a worthwhile read for those interested in historical fiction.

[Megan Brame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernesto Patino's A Cry for Vengeance plunges into a post-WWII conspiracy where the ghosts of the past collide with Cold War espionage. Set in Tucson in 1968, the story kicks off with a shocking deathbed confession from a former Nazi guard to a nurse named Helen Darby. This revelation spurs Helen to action, leading her to enlist the aid of professor and war criminal investigator Bryan De Luca.

Their investigation exposes a disturbing reality: the U.S. government secretly recruited ex-Nazis as intelligence assets, shielding them from prosecution. What follows is a tense cat-and-mouse game against shadowy operatives, militant revenge groups, and the silence of those too afraid to speak.

Patino's book is a thriller that examines themes of historical secrets, government betrayal, and the complex nature of justice. The narrative weaves a tale of a hidden conspiracy and its deadly repercussions, forcing characters and readers alike to confront unsettling questions about retribution.

The author's characters feel grounded and complex, Helen’s quiet resilience and Bryan’s mix of moral conviction and personal vulnerability add depth beyond standard thriller tropes. The supporting cast, from Holocaust survivors to reluctant witnesses, brings emotional weight and nuance.

The late-1960s Tucson setting, with its desert stillness and Cold War paranoia, becomes a fitting backdrop for a story where the truth itself is dangerous. A Cry for Vengeance asks unsettling questions about justice, loyalty, and the compromises made “for the greater good,” leaving readers to wrestle with them long after the final page.

[Grace Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cry for Vengeance offers a unique take on the post-Holocaust era, where former Nazis fled to America. Although a group called Jews for Justice is aware of the Nazis and determined to take them all down, one by one.

Ernesto Patino’s story is riveting and moves quickly. Beginning with a Nazi’s deathbed confession, one thread untangles at a time. Byran De Luca and his new friend Helen are at the center of the discoveries, and the reader will find themselves feeling as though they are sitting at the table with them.

Patino slowly drips clues throughout the story to keep you engaged and wondering what could happen next. The moral dilemma that Bryan faces becomes the reader's own, leaving them to wonder how they would have handled the situation.

The author's dedication to research is evident in the narrative. He seamlessly blends fact and fiction to craft an engaging story with a wide cast of characters, each with their own backgrounds and motivations. As the plot accelerates, the reader is left with a wealth of new knowledge and a story they can’t put down.

Given the number of characters, I would have liked to get to know each one better. Some had no physical descriptions, or they were short, and my mind created its own images for them. Additionally, the dialogue had room for improvement. However, I was able to get past this and still have an appreciation for the story and the author’s creativity.

[Claudia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernesto Patino’s A Cry for Vengeance is a gripping thriller that cleverly blends history and suspense. The story begins with a former Nazi war criminal’s deathbed confession, drawing readers into a mystery rooted in the dark reality of Nazis evading justice after World War II. This sets a tense, authentic tone that persists throughout, balanced by touching, thoughtful scenes that carry emotional weight alongside investigative intrigue.

The narrative moves at a steady pace, fast enough to keep you hooked, yet deliberate enough to build suspense. The writing is clear and engaging, with natural dialogue and well-developed characters. The story unfolds primarily through conversation, which keeps it dynamic and avoids heavy exposition. The sharp, realistic dialogue propels the plot without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

Themes of justice, guilt, loyalty, and the lingering trauma of war are woven seamlessly into the story. A shadowy connection between ex-Nazis and U.S. intelligence adds intrigue, while the gradual unraveling of secrets, hidden files, cover-ups, and a potential whistleblower keeps readers guessing.

Fans of World War II history and spy thrillers will appreciate the novel’s rich historical detail and moral complexity. However, its focus on the Holocaust’s legacy and challenging ethical questions may be intense for some. A Cry for Vengeance delivers a thrilling, thought-provoking read that is both deeply satisfying and emotionally resonant.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deathbed confession shared with a journalist initiates a series of deadly events that will change the lives of those who have been entrusted with the secrets surrounding it. The dying man was responsible for many Jewish murders under the guise of following orders. He even attempts to offset his crimes. What he does accomplish, unwittingly, is to reveal the deep, dark and potentially embarrassing conspiracy whereby Nazis have been allowed to emigrate to the US and whose identities have been protected by the government that should have been trying them.

When Bryan begins his journey to discover the truth and tell the stories of the survivors, he is caught between the rock and the hard place. A document that reveals the names of those Nazis falls into his possession. Now he must decide whether to aid those who want to keep those names from going public and those who want the names so they can be assassinated. He, and Helen, the nurse who transcribed the confession, are torn. Bryan wants to do what is right but the morality of his situation is confused at best. And it does not help that a murder squad who have been silencing those who know threaten him. He does not want to protect the guilty but he also does not want blood on his conscience.

It is a tense and thought provoking conundrum. The reader must also ask themselves, after hearing the stories of the atrocities, what would they do. It has a shocking ending that left me stunned. Five purrs and two paws up.

[John Kamande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernesto Patino’s A Cry for Vengeance is a gripping historical thriller that seamlessly blends fact and fiction into a fast-paced, emotionally charged narrative. Set in Tucson in 1968, the story opens with a chilling deathbed confession from a former Nazi guard to nurse Helen Darby. This revelation draws her into the world of war crimes investigations, where she joins forces with Professor Bryan De Luca. Together, they uncover a disturbing truth: ex-Nazis were secretly recruited by U.S. intelligence and shielded from prosecution.

What unfolds is a tense pursuit of justice, fraught with danger, shadowy operatives, and the silence of those too afraid to speak. Patino skillfully weaves in the stories of Holocaust survivors and haunting diary entries, offering an intimate lens that deepens the emotional impact of the thriller.

The characters are vividly drawn, with Helen’s quiet resilience and Bryan’s blend of conviction and vulnerability standing out. The supporting cast adds depth and authenticity, while the Tucson desert, steeped in Cold War paranoia serves as a fitting and atmospheric backdrop.

Patino’s prose is brisk and compelling, with sharp dialogue and a steady unraveling of secrets that keeps readers engaged. More than just a thriller, the novel delves into themes of guilt, loyalty, and the lingering shadows of war, prompting readers to wrestle with difficult questions long after the final page.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cry for Vengeance, by Ernesto Patino, is a tense, action-packed novel that falls neatly into the suspense or thriller genres. It bears some resemblance to Dan Brown series of books starring the character of Robert Langdon. Other readers may be reminded of the movie Apt Pupil.

The idea of Nazi hunters with vengeance on their minds is nothing new. It’s easy to identify the Nazis as a group of individuals who embodied pure evil. As such, it’s natural to have protagonists who would stop at nothing to identify them and bring them to justice. The concept has been the basis for several memorable and impactful movies, novels, and TV shows, and this book is no exception.

The pace moves briskly, and Patino is able to instill it with a sense of frenetic action that only grows more frantic the further the reader progresses. De Luca proves to be an intelligent and capable protagonist. Though rightly horrified by his knowledge of what the Nazis did, he is not filled with the same sense of rage that burns so brightly within the ranks of the JFJ. They have all become consumed with their desire for vengeance, and rightly so. However, Patino seems to be making the point that their quest has also warped them. It’s not surprising. To hunt monsters, one must become a monster, and that adage is on full display here. Setting such issues aside, this is a spirited literary endeavor with much to recommend it.

[Bob D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Rogue Phoenix Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story starts with a death bed confession of a former Nazi officer - who happens to be secretly living in the US. The nurse that hears this confession eventually relays the information to a journalist and our story begins. Bryan - our journalist - begins gathering information and meeting with Holocaust survivors with the possibility of compiling their stories into a book. During the course of these interviews he comes into the possession of a list of Nazis that have secretly emigrated to the US. Those that know if this list begin to be eliminated and the pace of the story accelerates.

Bryan is pursued by two parties - those that want the list destroyed to protect the secret and an organization that does not seek just but vengeance against the list members.

The story takes place in the late 1960s. In addition to the fact that this a time period in which former Nazi officers would still be alive, it is also a period without the technology that we have today (cell phones with caller id, home security systems, tracking devices, etc.) that would be an impediment to certain plot points.

There is almost no exposition. At less than 200 pages it is very fast paces. This may be too much for some readers but this could also result in a nice, crisp mini-series.

Overall, a sold four stars.

[Eki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen, a nurse, writes a deathbed confession as requested by the dying patient who was a former Nazi. Not knowing what to do with the confession, she tells her friend about it, who in turn tells an old friend about it who is interested in writing a book about the subject. Bryan, the writer, finds himself in a though spot when two interested parties threaten him in order to get a list of former Nazis.


What I liked
‣ the diary writings
‣ interesting details about some of the survivors


What I disliked
‣ a lot of dialogue
‣ jumps to different scenes a lot without warning
‣ most of the book is told, not shown
‣ few typos
‣ near all the characters sound the same


Review

I got an ARC of this book.

Maybe because a lot of the book is told, rather than shown, it's kind of difficult to understand why this writer would keep updating the nurse on the progress of his investigation. And other things such as how nearly everyone seems to be willing to help Bryan.

Finally, I'm not a big history buff so I cannot say how historically accurate this book is, so I will not comment on that. And I'm not saying this book isn't worth reading if you're interested, it just wasn't written in the style I'm used to reading.

[Howard Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deathbed confession from a former Nazi officer (living a secret life in America) detailing his participation in the atrocities during the Holocaust sets the wheels in motion for the action in this interesting novel. An organization known as Jews for Justice has been searching for any of these Germans in both the United States and South America for years in an attempt to kill them all. The recipient of the confession becomes entangled with a young author who becomes involved in an investigation and interviews several Holocaust survivors in an attempt to write about their experiences so that the world will never forget. The book is easy to read although a number of the stories are very emotional and give the reader pause. The characters are memorable and well written. This book is recommended for all who might be interested in learning more about this period in our history and, to this reader, had a somewhat surprising ending. I thank NetGalley and Rogue Phoenix Press for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

[Ramona Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen, a hospice nurse is asked by her patient to write down his last statement before he dies. She does, and her patient reveals that he was a Nazi SS soldier at a prison camp. Helen is disturbed by what she wrote, and shared it with a friend who suggested that she share the list with Brian, who was writing book about ex Nazis. In the course of the book Helen and Brian hear stories from Holocaust survivors, meet a man who has a list of Nazis in the United States, a group whose mission it is to kill all Nazis still alive, and a mysterious group that is after all of them. Interesting survivor stories, but no indication that they are true. The writing leaves much to be desired. There are lots of Holocaust stories out there. Skip this one. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc, with no pressure for a positive review.

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cry for Vengeance follows Bryan De Luca, a university professor who is informed of Karl Muller’s deathbed confession: Muller killed thousands of Jews at the Treblinka concentration camp. What follows is a riveting journey down a rabbit hole, with one group racing to find other hidden ex-Nazis, and another racing to kill them.

Ernest Patino put together a gripping narrative. I enjoyed the pacing a lot, and found the speed at which the novel moved perfect. The book may have benefited from a little more time explaining the motivations behind certain characters, but that isn’t really a problem for me. I still found this a very enjoyable novel.

[Phin Ejike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ernest Patino’s A Cry For Vengeance is a fast-paced novel following a university professor who discovers a list of Nazi defectors who are on the run from a group of Jews out for their lives. I liked this book for several reasons. First of all, its pacing is excellent. Patino does not dwell or embellish his scenes. Instead, he moves the story forward quickly, which is good because there’s so much to unpack throughout the book. Furthermore, I found it interesting how he flipped the table on the traditional Nazi-Jew relationship. In this book, Nazis are the ones being hunted by Jews, which is a refreshing take which you don’t see every day.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥 This book grabbed me by the collar and refused to let go. A Cry for Vengeance is like a history class that got hopped up on espresso and decided to throw punches. We’ve got Nazis hiding in plain sight, spies playing both sides, and a professor who gets way more than he bargained for. It’s twisty, dangerous, and totally addictive. I tore through it in a couple sittings because I HAD to know who was going to make it out alive. If you like your thrillers with brains, bullets, and a moral gut-punch, this is it. 💣📚

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cry for Vengeance is an intense historical thriller that blends the shadows of WWII with the paranoia of the Cold War. When a dying man confesses to being a former SS officer, nurse Helen Darby and Professor Bryan De Luca are pulled into a web of hidden war crimes, covert intelligence operations, and moral dilemmas that test the limits of justice. I really enjoyed how the story kept raising the stakes—each discovery led to a more dangerous truth, and the tension never let up. The mix of real history and relentless suspense made it a compelling, edge-of-my-seat read.

[Charles Malumba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping from the first page to the last, A Cry for Vengeance is a story about revenge and its often brutal costs. The fast-paced narrative follows Bryan De Luca, a college professor writing a book about Nazis who fled after the war. But when a deathbed confession from one of the supposed former Nazis reaches him, it leads him down a deadly rabbit hole full of vengeance and grievances.

The premise of this book was stellar, and author Ernest Patino delivered a narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

[Akhil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly fascinating book that displays more depth than your typical fiction. It’s a story that seems like it could be real, and draws on our world’s terrible past. It is emotionally heavy, but much worth the read.
I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction with depth will appreciate this book. I think the author has done a good job of writing it, as well. I will add the pacing does move quick and you have to keep up with it, but that didn’t bother me.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulled me in at the beginning. It was a great pace and I did not find myself bored at all while reading it. The only thing I did not like were the unclear time jumps and the ratio of dialogue in the story. However, I still highly recommend reading this book as it is fascinating and interesting to read about. Thank you for this ARC from NetGalley.

[Paige Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold War intrigue meets Holocaust reckoning—brace yourself.

A Cry for Vengeance is a gripping, high-stakes thriller where history’s darkest shadows collide with Cold War conspiracies, forcing one man to decide if justice means forgiveness—or blood.

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Holocaust of the Jews and Undesirables will always be remembered. Today we see similar deaths especially in Africa and Eastern Europe.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, but the execution was a bit lacking. You know when you’re about ten and you write an action packed story with JUST the action? This had those vibes. Short scenes, bare bones description and just the dialogue - almost like a script. No omniscient third person narrator, no getting to know any characters as they all just sounded the same. An ambitious storyline of former Nazis hiding in America, being hunted down by a rogue group of assassins, while also being protected by the FBI because them being Nazis player second fiddle to them being anti communism.

The survivors tales were an interesting addition but there was no footnotes at the end to say whether they were true accounts, based in fact or entirely fictional.

This would actually work well as a film or a radio play! But as a book it’s just not a satisfying read to be honest. I received a copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.